By Adam
DFS | DraftKings | April 16 Slate Preview
After a thrilling start to the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday night, NBA fans and fantasy players alike are gearing up for another exciting two-game slate on Wednesday, April 16. While it doesn’t feature a marquee showdown like Warriors vs. Grizzlies, both matchups—Bulls vs. Heat and Mavericks vs. Kings—are expected to be tightly contested.
This means opportunity for sharp DFS plays and strategic pivots that can make or break your DraftKings lineup.
Top Stud: Josh Giddey (CHI, $8,100)
Projection: 1.62 DraftKings points per minute
Ceiling: Highest among all players on the slate
Josh Giddey has emerged as one of the hottest names in DFS circles lately—and for good reason. The young guard has found his rhythm with the Chicago Bulls, who’ve surged into postseason form, winning 11 of their last 15 games and posting the 7th-best Net Rating league-wide over that stretch.
Giddey’s DFS dominance culminated in a jaw-dropping 78.5-point performance against the Miami Heat last week, fueled by a triple-double. Even though the Heat are known for their gritty defense and playoff experience, Giddey has already shown he can light them up.
He’s become the engine of that team,” one Eastern Conference scout said. “If you’re not locking him down early, he’ll torch you.
In a slate lacking premium star power, Giddey offers not only a high floor but massive upside—making him a core building block in all contest formats.
Value Play: Spencer Dinwiddie (DAL, $5,700)
With Luka Dončić traded and Kyrie Irving out with injury, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a tough spot heading into their Play-In matchup with the Sacramento Kings.
Enter Spencer Dinwiddie, who will shoulder the bulk of the playmaking responsibilities. Though his recent form has been inconsistent—posting a negative plus/minus in 7 of his last 9 games—he’s still averaging over 1 fantasy point per minute and is projected for 36+ minutes on Wednesday.
At a price tag of $5,700, Dinwiddie represents one of the slate’s best values.
He’s in a perfect bounce-back position,” notes a DraftKings analyst. “The Kings' defense ranks bottom-10 in efficiency vs. guards.
Matchups to Exploit
Bulls vs. Heat (CHI -1)
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The Bulls are slight home favorites, riding momentum and chemistry.
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Miami’s defense isn’t what it once was—especially against creative guards like Giddey.
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Expect a low-scoring, tight game with value in rebounds, assists, and steals.
Mavericks vs. Kings (DAL -4.5)
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Kings struggle defensively, especially on the perimeter.
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Potential for high pace and transition scoring.
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Watch for fringe values like Jaden Hardy or Keon Ellis if starters sit extended minutes.
Final DFS Strategy
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Cash Games: Anchor with Giddey, surround with high-minutes, low-cost guards like Dinwiddie.
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GPPs: Stack the Mavs-Kings game, consider upside flyers like Chris Duarte or Josh Green.
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Monitor injury news up to lock, especially with veterans like Anthony Davis on limited workloads.
Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate playoff energy—rotations tighten, minutes rise, and stars stay on the floor.